ATLANTA – In response to the high temperatures expected this weekend, Mayor Kasim Reed, the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department (AFRD), Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA) and the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services have opened five cooling stations this weekend to ensure that Atlanta’s residents have a safe place to stay cool during the heat wave. Residents, especially senior citizens, are strongly advised to take advantage of these cooling stations if needed. AFRD is also offering free bottled water at all fire stations in the city and are inspecting senior citizen high rises and complexes.

Additionally, all of Atlanta’s twelve swimming pools will be open today and tomorrow from 12 p.m. until 7 p.m. and seven of the City’s pools will be open for free. These include:

Adams

Anderson

Dunbar (Rosa Burney Park)

Grant Park

Pittman

Powell (Mozley Park)

Thomasville

Cooling stations will be open this weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a possible opening on Monday depending on the weather conditions.

The cooling stations are located at:

Adamsville

3201 M. L. King Jr. Drive, S.W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30311

(404) 505-3181

J. C. Burdine

215 Lakewood Way, S.E

Atlanta, Georgia 30315

(404) 658-7855

Dunbar

477 Windsor Street, S.W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30312

(404) 658-7117

Georgia Hill Neighborhood Center

250 Georgia Avenue, S.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30312

(404) 658-6395

Rosel Fann

365 Cleveland Avenue, S.E.

Atlanta, Georgia 30354

(404) 624-0772

Saturday and Sunday will bring the worst of the heat with actual temperatures reaching the triple digits for at least two hours each afternoon. The Heat Index temperatures are also expected to enter into the “Danger” category of the National Weather Service’s Heat Index Chart.

Here are some helpful tips regarding extreme heat:

• Stay indoors in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.

• Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothes that cover as much skin as possible.

• Familiarize yourself with the medical conditions that can result from over-exposure to heat, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke to help lessen health threats and harm.

• Avoid strenuous work during the warmest part of the day. Use a buddy system when working in extreme heat, and take frequent breaks.

• Never leave children or pets alone in closed vehicles.

• Make sure pets have plenty of water and shade, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.

Closely monitor a local radio station, TV station or NOAA Weather Radio for the latest information on excessive heat watches and warnings.

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For more information about the City of Atlanta, please visit http://www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26. Follow the City of Atlanta on Facebook and Twitter @City_of_Atlanta. Follow Mayor Reed on Facebook and Twitter @Kasim Reed